Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a rapid heartbeat that starts in the ventricles.

Wide-complex tachycardia; V tach; Tachycardia - ventricular

If the heart rate during a ventricular tachycardia episode is very fast or lasts longer than a few seconds. There may be symptoms such as:

• Chest discomfort (angina)
• Fainting (syncope)
• Light-headedness or dizziness
• Sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)
• Shortness of breath

Note: Symptoms may start and stop suddenly. In some cases, there are no symptoms.

Signs include:

• Absent pulse
• Loss of consciousness
• Normal or low blood pressure
• Rapid pulse

Ventricular tachycardia may be seen on:

• Continuous ambulatory electrocardiogram (Holter monitor)
• ECG
• Intracardiac electrophysiology study (EPS)
• Loop recorder

Blood chemistries and other tests may be done.

The outcome depends on the heart condition and symptoms.

Ventricular tachycardia may not cause symptoms in some people. However, it may be lethal in other people. It is a major cause of sudden cardiac death.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have a rapid, irregular pulse, faint, or have chest pain. All of these may be signs of ventricular tachycardia.

In some cases, the disorder is not preventable. In other cases, it can be prevented by treating heart diseases and correcting blood chemistries.

Olgin JE, Zipes DP. Specific Arrhythmias: Diagnosis and Treatment. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP. Libby: Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 35.

Epstein AE, DiMarco JP, Ellenbogen KA, Estes NA 3rd, Freedman RA, Gettes LS, et al. ACC/AHA,HRS 2008 Guidelines for Device-Based Therapy of Cardiac Rhythm Abnormalities: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the ACC?AHA/NASPE 2002 Guideline Update for Implantation of Cardiac Pacemakers and Antiarrhythmia Devices): developed in collaboration with the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Circulation. 117:e350-e408.